How to survive 3 month notice period

[stevegrabshall]

I am about to resign as I need to get away from my bullying manager. I have a 3 month notice period and they’re unlikely to let me go earlier.

how do I survive until Christmas? It’s having a huge impact on my mental health and I’m not sure how long I can do this for.

Advice from a previous manager that worked for me...

I went to the main competitor (where I knew somebody) and got myself an interview. I had no intention of working there, but my company didn't know that, all they needed was the proof that I was in discussions with them - which was enough for them to put me on gardening leave!

Would something like that work in your situation?

I would love that!
unfortunately I think it’s unlikely (everyone else has been made to work their full notice) but I might put things out there just in case.

It’ll be ok, you can get away with murder during the notice period. Just disengage

You'll probably find that once you resign you won't care as much anymore because you know you're partway out of the exit.

Just let it wash over you.

I feel for you because this happened to me
I didn't think I'd survive it, but my tactic was to carry on working hard. I had every single T crossed and I dotted by the time I left. My boss was such a bitch I knew she would look for faults in my work once I'd gone, but I made sure there were none to find.
I left that place with my head high! I didn't let those fuckers win!

Change your mindset, instead of thinking how will I survive until Xmas, think how relaxed will I be at Xmas when I’m not working there anymore.
but as a PP said, once you’ve handed in your notice you won’t care as much, knowing the end is coming!

What do you think your boss will do to make your life harder? And what do you think will happen if you don't do what they ask, meet their demands?

If it's stuff like changing shifts last minute etc just say "no".

Sack you?

What would they/could they do if you just told them you were leaving after a months notice?

I got off for burnout for a few months due to unfair treatment, politics, demanding job, I resigned, couldn’t face returning to do my 3 months notice, I extended my sickness to cover my notice. Thankfully we got good sickness leave, big 4. I honestly couldn’t face one more day there, it was seriously impacting me.

Go to the doctor and sign yourself off sick if the job is impacting your mental health, then resign.

Yes , get signed off . Look after yourself

The power dynamic once you resign is totally shifted. Now YOU have the power they cant do anything, they cant threaten you with anything... you are in control.
(See gif!)

Options include but arent limited to...

• Competitor offer for garden leave...
• Signed off sick for duration (thisnwould be preferred choice but you need to consider pros and cons in your specific circs of this though)
• Just disengage and maybe add some intermittent sick (you can self cert for up to 5 days - check if you grt sick pay though and if your industry cares about sickness some check apparently, mine doesnt)

If you decide to stick it out...

• If you can wfh do so and go to gym class / do washing / food shop for a hour or two a day.
• If you cant turn up at or just after 9 take FULL hour and then some at lunch and pack up your pencil case at 5.15.
• Nice long bathroom breaks to crush candy and daydream about your new life...
• book every medical, dental etc appointment you can think off (niggle in your knee - get it checked!, annual eye test 2 months early - why not!)

Dealing with your dickhead boss in person... be as unreactive and neutral faced as humanly possible it really messes with people they dont know what you are thinking and its very stressful so them.
Once they've given you whatever stupid request verbally, ask for it in email form - amd take AGES to do it and do the minimum ... they cant do anything.

I also made a colour coded calendar with appointments days off / sick days etc and crossed days off - so satisfying!

Don't burn your bridges completely, but you can now relax safe in the knowledge you're out of there.

Switch off your brain in meetings, get waylaid and don't attend some meetings altogether. Shred non-critical paperwork instead of dealing with it. All of those "for your information only" emails can be deleted without being read. If you work hybrid, how's the time to work from home most of the time - watching TV or getting on with projects at home.

Aim for polite and professional, but disengaged.

I left my last place on excellent terms, and spent my 3 month notice period decluttering and redecorating our house, and hiking! They said I left everything in great shape and I'm welcome back any time I like!